. >> it's good for our country, and it's good for our economy, and it's good for the american people, especially those who are looking for work. >> reporter: raising the minimum wage to over $10 an hour would increase gdp by over $32 billion, create almost 150,000 new jobs, cut food stamps spending by billions. >> we can't survive on $7.25. >> reporter: as workers increase wages mean they no longer have to depend on the government for help. >> yes, today the house took a heroic first step towards lifting the minimum wage closer to a living wage. democracy in action is indeed a beautiful thing. >> joining me now back in our reality is associate professor of political science and international public affairs at columbia university. dorian, this could happen tomorrow. there is a lot of support publicly in polling, it's remarkable popular. there's strong support in the democratic caucus on both sides of the aisle -- both houses, and the president has come out, and he's been talking about it a lot recently, the only obstacle is the house republican caucus. >> that's right. and the presiden